Silversea Cruises hosts pre Antarctica season expedition training

Silversea Cruises hosts pre Antarctica season expedition training

Ahead of the Antarctica season, 12 members of Silversea’s Expedition Team spent four days at pre-season training in the Chilean Andes. Between 29 October and 3 November 2018, the team of expedition specialists undertook a number of educational activities, building on their existing skillsets and enabling them to enrich the offering for Silversea’s guests. In its 10th season of deep travel in Antarctica, the cruise line is investing heavily in the training and development of its knowledgeable Expedition Team.

The training included four days and three nights of camping with skills-based learning and leadership development. Several team-building activities were included throughout the program, which also included a challenging high ropes course, snow and ice awareness workshops, route-finding and orienteering sessions, a wilderness medicine refresher, and an emergency evacuation scenario.

With a base camp located near Chile’s breathtaking El Morado Natural Monument, the activity-rich programme was a highly challenging, high altitude, skills-driven, experiential learning and leadership building tour-de-force. After camping in the rough, practicing emergency medical scenarios, and brushing up on ice and snow skills, the team members parted ways ready to greet the wilds of Antarctica and welcome Silversea Expeditions’ guests aboard. Of the 12 Expedition Specialists who participated in the training, eight embarked Silver Explorer ahead of the Antarctica season.

“As a way of enriching the cruising experience for our expedition guests in the region, the pre-Antarctica training camp was a huge success,” says Kit van Wagner, Silversea’s Director of Expedition Training and Staff Development. “This training represents Silversea’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of expedition cruising. Silversea’s industry-leading expedition team offers on-board lectures and workshops, and leads excursions in each destination. Through these types of training events, their knowledge is improved and our guests’ experiences are enhanced.”

Silversea’s Expeditions Team’s skills will be put into practice on a number of immersive voyages in Antarctica, including the following sample itineraries:

· 1925 – Buenos Aires to Ushuaia

Silver Cloud will begin the Antarctic season in 2019, departing the vibrant city of Buenos Aires for Ushuaia on 24 November. This 16-day voyage will take guests deeper into the authentic beauty of Antarctica on a one-of-a-kind itinerary, which will see the most luxurious expedition ship afloat call at Puerto Madryn, New Island, West Point Island, Stanley, Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, and Drake Passage. During this in-depth tour of Antarctica, guests will witness penguins and other remarkable wildlife, journey to see where Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men were stranded for four months, and cruise around vast icebergs by Zodiac® craft, among other standout experiences. Fares start at AUD$19,080* per person, based on double occupancy in a Vista Suite, including a 10% Early Booking Bonus.

· 1927 – Ushuaia to Ushuaia

Departing on 20 December 2019, Silver Cloud will unlock a number of Antarctica’s highlights for guests on this 15-day roundtrip voyage from Ushuaia, offering a festive holiday season and a memorable New Year celebration in an icy wonderland. After a day at sea, guests will reach West Point Island, from which they’ll journey to Saunders Island, Stanley, Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, and Drake Passage. Incorporating enriching experiences in the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, this remarkable itinerary promises an unforgettable expedition. Fares start at AUD$21,600* per person, based double occupancy in a Vista Suite, including a 10% Early Booking Bonus.

· 7004 – Ushuaia to Ushuaia

Aboard the intimate Silver Explorer, guests will traverse the legendary Drake Passage to explore the Antarctic Peninsula on this classic 12-day roundtrip itinerary. Departing 21 February 21 2020, the voyage will take guests to Antarctic Sound via Drake Passage, before calling at the Antarctic Peninsula, and the South Shetland Islands, before returning to Ushuaia via the Drake Passage. Four overnights at the Antarctic Peninsula will enable guests to take to the water on Zodiac® crafts, as they journey to witness penguin rookeries, seals, whales, and rare birds; tabular icebergs; and sites of historical interest. Fares begin at AUD$16,200 per person, based double occupancy in an Adventurer Suite, including a 10% Early Booking Bonus.

Silversea Antarctica All-Inclusive

When booking select Antarctica voyages, guests will also receive: complimentary international economy return airfares to Buenos Aires or Santiago, or Business Class fares for just AUD$2,999 per person each way; economy roundtrip domestic flights; transfers between airport, hotel and ship; and one night pre-cruise accommodation.

Aboard Silversea’s expedition ships, the cruise line’s guests are able to journey into the world’s remotest destinations in ultimate luxury. As well as on-board lectures and shore excursions included as standard, guests enjoy ocean-view suites, sumptuous cuisine, and the personalised service of a butler. Enriching the experience are such all-inclusive amenities as complimentary premium wines and spirits, speciality coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks served throughout the ship; an in-suite bar, stocked with guests’ preferences; a 24-hour in-suite dining service; and unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi (location permitting).